Nshima is a thick porridge made from finely ground cornmeal called mealie meal. It is a staple food in Zambia and is served in lumps. To eat it, you break off a bit smaller than a golf ball and knead it until it becomes a ball. It is eaten with nearly every meal and is considered a staple food in the region.

Nshima has got different names in different African countries. For example, in South Africa, they call it pap; in Congo, it is fufu; and in Kenya, ugali.